Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World

School Trips

Why book Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World for School Trips and Educational Visits?

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World promise a professional yet fun, family feeling to a day out. All schools are treated the same - whether you're bringing 20 children or 200.

We aim to get all children interested in and excited about animals and dinosaurs whilst remembering our important message of conservation through education.

Visits are unguided (unless a Dinosaur tour is booked) but talks and feeding sessions take place throughout your visit run by Keepers who will aim to cover all topics agreed upon during your booking.

school trip at Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World

school groups Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World school groups

Teacher Checklist

Risk Assessments
Inspection Visits

What activities are available during group visits?

A full list of daily activities can be seen by downloading our App (search Hoo Zoo in the app or play store).

On your visit you may:
Feed Wallabies
Feed Pigs
Feed Deer
Feed Ostrich
Meet a Skunk
Meet a Hedgehog
Meet an Owl

And Many more talks on the animals.

Which Curriculum Subjects do you cater for?

Prehistory

Stone Age

Through our (new for 2024) Ice Age area we are able to help children explore prehistory and the stone age. Looking at the tools our ancestors used whilst exploring the evolution of Neanderthals and Homosapiens.

Biology

Life Cycles Evolution and inheritance Living things and habitats Animals including humans Dinosaurs

Through our daily talks and activities we help educate children on animals habitats, lifecycle and anatomy (amongst other things). Through the walkthrough Dinosaur and Ice Age exhibits we explore the evolution of these creatures and how they are related to todays animals. In this area we also have some ancient plants (such as Monkey Puzzle and Gingko Trees) which help children associate both prehistoric flora and fauna to those that we see today.

We can help children learn how to identify Carnivores, Herbivores and Omnivores both by seeing the animals in their habitat and through our daily talks. The feeding activities we offer help children understand the food chain and where the animals fit into their eco-system.

We have a large amount of bio-diversity in our zoo collection meaning that children can see birds, mammals (including primates, cats and wolves) and reptiles as part of their visit. Get in touch with us to find out more.

Geology

Fossils Rocks

Through our Fossil Workshop add on we can help children explore not just fossils and how they are formed but also different types or rocks and minerals.

Our sessions include hands on activities looking at (and handling) real fossils and all children get to take home a genuine fossil with them afterwards.

Dinosaurs

A visit to Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World is ideal for anyone interested in Palaeontology! With over 30 animatronic dinosaurs ranging from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous period we take children on a 225 million year trip.

All our dinosaurs are life size with the instantly recognisable Stegosaurs, Diplodocus, Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex all being present along with some of the more obscure ones that might even leave a budding Palaeontologist scratching his head! Prehistoric plants even get a look in with ferns, Monkey Puzzle Trees and Gingko's all present.

Our signage is all very clear explaining whether dinosaurs were Carnivores or Herbivores. Our Dinosaur Tour and Fossil Workshops go further into this with our staff offering hands on activities with real fossils and skeletons.

What size groups do you cater for?

We can accommodate up to 150 children per day.

Do you offer on-site classroom facilities?

We have a small on site classroom (25 children max).

Is there first aid on site?

Yes most of our staff are first aid trained. We also have an onsite defibrillator.

Do you offer access for visitors with disabilities?

We are relatively flat but do have gravel pathways. We also have disabled toilets.

Do you cater for visitors with Special Educational Needs (SEN)?

Yes we can tailor our talks as required and also have Sensory Kits available to hire.

Who are Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World?

With nearly 100 species of animals, 30 animatronic dinosaurs and activities taking place all day Hoo Zoo really is a fun day out whatever the age.

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World launched back in 1991 as Hoo Farm Country Park and over the past 30 years has become one of the midlands premier attractions - even winning National Farm Park of the year along the way. In 2004 the farm became a licensed zoo and hasn’t looked back. Now the zoo is home to not just sheep, cows, pigs and horses but other zoo favourites such as Meerkats, Lemurs, Servals, Caracal and even Wolves.

Hoo Zoo and Dinosaur World is extremely passionate about conservation with a strong message throughout the zoo of conservation through education. This is put across through the fun informative meet and greets that take place but also the renowned animal experiences (advanced booking essential).

Whilst being great fun, the new dinosaurs are an important part of this message with it being more important than ever that steps are made to stop us going the way of the…..well dinosaurs!